Now Streaming: New CDs from Bloc Party, Los Lobos, & More

Bloc Party's fourth album, cleverly titled "Four," headlines the slate of new albums streaming online this week. Also available this week are new releases from Los Lobos (a live version of their classic 1992 album, "Kiko"), Wojcik, Dan Deacon, and even those old southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd (I had no idea they were even working on a new album).

If you missed Yeasayer streaming online last week, you've got another shot to hear them this week, on Spinner.com.

This is an abbreviated post, and it may well be the only one I post for the next week or so, since I am out of town vacationing at a spot with limited Internet access. (This post is being typed at the local public library, which thankfully has free wi-fi.) Apologies for the minimal amount of posting, enjoy this week's streaming albums, and go out and see some live music with what's left of the summer.


"Octopus" from Bloc Party's new album "Four," which is streaming this week.

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Easy Star's Thrillah" by Easy Star All-Stars

NPR First Listen:
"America" by Dan Deacon
"The Seer" by Swans
"Postales" by Gabby Moreno
"The Salesman and The Shark" by Sean Rowe

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Fragrant World" by Yeasayer
"Four" by Bloc Party
"Selah Sue" by Selah Sue
"Cast The Same Old Shadow" by Dylan LeBlanc
"Vexations" by I Was Totally Destroying It
"The Glorious Dead" by The Heavy
"Sof' Sike" by Slim Twig
"Wake" by Jr. Juggernaut
"Escape From Crystal Skull Mountain" by Gregory Pepper and His Problems
"Happy New Year" by Happy New Year
"Wise Blood" by Wojcik

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Kiko Live" by Los Lobos
"Last of a Dyin' Breed" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
"I'm a Stranger and I Love the Night" by Scrapomatic

What's Going on New Year's Eve 2011? Live Music in NYC

There's no shortage of live music in the New York area on New Year's Eve, and here's a selective guide to some of shows that still have tickets available (as of around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 28th). Naturally, a lot of shows are sold out by this time, including Patti Smith at Bowery Ballroom, Gogol Bordello at Terminal 5, and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists at Maxwell's. But there are still some good shows you can get into, depending on your musical preferences, geographical area, and budget.

Deer Tick & friends play at Brooklyn Bowl on New Year's Eve.

Check out websites like the Oh My Rockness show list or Gig-o-Meter for more shows. For parties in NYC at bars, clubs, etc., with or without live music, see the MurphGuide New Year's Eve guide.

Here are some interesting shows that still have tickets as of late Wednesday night:

• The Damnwells play two shows at Rockwood Music Hall's Stage 2, at 8:30 (doors 7:30) and 11 (doors 10:30). Tickets are $20 for each show.
• Assembly of Dust with Jason Crosby & Lucy Chapin at Mercury Lounge, doors: 8:30. $35.
• Deer Tick & Friends (J. Roddy Walston and the Business, Dead Confederate, and Virgin Forest) at Brooklyn Bowl. Show at 8 p.m. (doors 6). $45.
• Matt & Kim at Hammerstein Ballroom, 9 p.m. $55 ($66.75 with fees).
• The Fleshtones, The Waldos (featuring Walter Lure of Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers), The Todd Youth All-Stars, The Threads, The Dead Tricks, and "a surprise performance by a secret rockabilly legend" at The Bowery Electric, 8:15 p.m. (7:30 doors). $20.
• Los Lobos at City Winery, 7:30 p.m. (5:30 seating); tickets from $60. (There may be literally one or two tickets available for the 11 p.m. Los Lobos show.)
• Gov't Mule at Beacon Theatre, 9 p.m. $59.50 to $84 ($73.35 to $100.45 with fees).
• Chuck Berry at B.B. King's, 8 p.m. (doors at 6) and 11 (doors at 10), $100 ($120 with fees).